What Are Dental Implants – Meaning and Types

A loose or missing tooth can adversely affect your jaw bone if it does not receive proper and immediate medical attention. Consequently, a number of individuals choose to opt for dental implants as a preventive measure against debilitating oral health.

So, if you are considering getting this medical procedure done, having a comprehensive idea about this prosthesis is always beneficial.

Also referred to as an endosseous fixture, a dental implant is an intraoral treatment measure to restore your orthodontic hygiene. As mentioned above, this process is a crucial preventive measure if you are struggling with issues of decaying teeth. These implants can function as an artificial alternative for your tooth roots to enable the restoration of the teeth you have lost.

These dental implants act as an orthodontic anchor to provide a sustainable and healthy foundation to the permanent or removable replacement teeth designed to match your natural teeth. This prosthetic and cosmetic dentistry is exponential in allowing you to maintain regular eating habits when using artificial teeth.

As a result, you do not face any difficulty in chewing or biting. So, dental implants are also crucial in negating the risks of secondary health issues like malnutrition caused by a sudden and drastic change in your food habits.

There are primarily three types of dental implants that you can avail of:

1. Endosteal Implants

This is the most common tooth implant and is largely considered the safest alternative available. Note that the implants are made of pure titanium or ceramic metal, which can be easily fitted into the bone under your gum because of their small structural design. Endosteal implants have a shape similar to a screw, and a dental surgeon drills them into your jawbone.

A certain amount of time is necessary for the dental implants to fuse into your jawbone. So, it takes a while for your mouth to be healed back to its natural state after the procedure. When the implants gradually become capable of creating a stronghold, your dentist will put the replacement teeth on to it so that they can seamlessly fit in with the natural ones.

2. Subperiosteal Implants

Interestingly, you must have a strong and healthy jawbone to opt for endosteal implants. It is quite natural for patients unwilling to have complex oral surgeries needed to fix the issues in this area. For such instances, you have the option to go with subperiosteal dental implants.

As it is impossible to fuse the implants onto your jawbone, dentistry specialists use a specially designed metal frame containing several posts that can fit over the jawbone and beneath your gums. When your gum gradually starts to recover, it can hold this frame in its place.

3. Zygomatic Implants

These dental implants are longer than their other two counterparts. The implants are named such because they are placed into the zygomatic arc – or the cheekbone - of your mouth. Note that these are used when dealing with teeth replacement in your upper jaw.

Much like subperiosteal implants, these are also a beneficial alternative for individuals who lack the bone mass needed for traditional implants. Moreover, as the aforementioned zygomatic bones are much denser in nature than the maxillary bones, these dental implants have a stable orthodontic anchor.

Usually, periodontists are considered the most suited oral surgeons for implants. If you opt for a dental implant, such a surgeon will oversee the titanium or ceramic post getting planted into your jawbone or cheekbone. Alternatively, they will ensure that the metal frame containing posts is safely placed beneath your gum.

The bonding of the implants with your gum or bones happens through the osseointegration process, offering a well-built foundation to the artificial teeth. Such a tooth or custom-made crown is connected to an abutment, which the surgeon places on the dental implants. As a result, it can perform the actions of a natural tooth.

There are manifold benefits of opting for dental implants, such as:

• Your chewing capabilities get completely restored
• The facial feature can improve significantly
• These implants are capable of preserving your natural teeth tissue
• With a proven high success rate, implants are a reliable means for long-lasting implications
• Dental implants are comparatively a better choice than opting for dentures. Not only is it more comfortable, but there is no scope of slurring your words due to ill-fitting dentures.
• From a psychological point of view, dental implants can also help with an individual’s self-esteem.

If you choose to opt for a tooth implant, keep in mind there are some risk factors involved in this endeavour. So, be cautious about:

• Getting a mouth infection at the site of the implant
• Sinus issues getting triggered
• Accidental nerve damage
• Injury to other teeth or a blood vessel
• Fractured jaw
• Delay in bone healing
• Bleeding for an extensive period of time
• Gum recession

In general, the cost of dental implants in India varies from around ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 50,000. Although, keep in mind that several crucial factors like the charges of the surgeon and service fee of the implant provider company can significantly affect this rate.